Multi-purpose tray in a mobile device

ABSTRACT

A mobile device can include a support frame adapted to support one or more electronic components of the mobile device. The mobile device includes a chassis shell adapted to form an exterior of the mobile device. The mobile device can include a tray exposed on the exterior and having at least two functional components of the mobile device attached thereon serving at least two different functions (e.g., an electronic function, an input or output function, and/or a mechanical function to support a permanent or temporary component). The chassis shell exposes one of the functional components on the exterior. The tray is capable of sliding outward to further expose the other one of the functional components.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims the benefits of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/249,130, entitled “MOBILE DEVICES AND MOBILE DEVICEACCESSORIES,” filed on Oct. 30, 2015, and U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/317,882, entitled “CONJOINING FUNCTIONAL COMPONENTSOF A MOBILE DEVICE,” filed on Apr. 4, 2016, which are incorporated byreference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

A conventional mobile device has various “interfacing components” (e.g.,connection ports, interactive components, sensor components, audio/video(AV) components, wireless communication components, component covers, orany combination thereof). These interfacing components are exposed onthe exterior of the mobile device. An interfacing component, forexample, can provide input and/or output (I/O) between an electroniccomponent of the mobile device and an external system, device, and/oruser. For example, a mobile device may have a volume button, a powerbutton, a user interface control button, a speaker switch (e.g., formuting and unmuting), an audio port, a memory card port, a microphonehole, a power port, a speaker grill, a subscriber identification module(SIM) card, or any combination thereof. As the number of theseinterfacing components increases, the mechanical reliability of themobile device can decrease. The high number of the interfacingcomponents can also increase manufacturing complexity, decrease operatorusability, and/or increase device weight and size.

SUMMARY

A mobile device can have one or more interfacing components. Each of theinterfacing components can serve a different function. The interfacingcomponents are components that have to be exposed on the exterior of themobile device for its operation. Some of the external interfacingcomponents, such as an external card slot, may be accessed infrequently.In various embodiments, an external card slot of a mobile device may beintegrated with one other interfacing component (referred to as the“conjoint interfacing component”).

The mobile device can include electronic circuitry. A chassis can beadapted to protect the electronic circuitry. The chassis can hold and atleast partially expose the conjoint interfacing component in an openingof a chassis shell. An external card slot can be attached to and madeaccessible through the conjoint interfacing component when the conjointinterfacing component is not being used.

Some embodiments of this disclosure have other aspects, elements,features, and steps in addition to or in place of what is describedabove. These potential additions and replacements are describedthroughout the rest of the specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustration of a mobile device, inaccordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 2A is a side view illustration of a mobile device having a speakergrill on its side, in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 2B is a perspective view illustration of the mobile device of FIG.2A after the speaker grill is pulled out, in accordance with variousembodiments.

FIG. 3A is a side view illustration of a mobile device having a volumeadjustment panel on its side, in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 3B is a perspective view illustration of the mobile device of FIG.3B after the volume adjustment panel is pulled out, in accordance withvarious embodiments.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view illustration of a mobile device having aconnection port on its side, in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 4B is a perspective view illustration of the mobile device of FIG.4A after the connection port is pulled out, in accordance with variousembodiments.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustration of a mobile device having aconnection port that exposes an external card slot, in accordance withvarious embodiments.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a mobile device, in accordance with variousembodiments.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method of manufacturing a mobiledevice, in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 8 is a top view illustration of a conjoint tray, in accordance withvarious embodiments.

FIG. 9 is cross-sectional view illustration of a mobile device with aconjoint tray, in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 10 is a top plan view illustration of a mobile device that acceptsa conjoint tray, in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 11 is a top plan view illustration of a mobile device that isattached to a conjoint tray via a flexible cable, in accordance withvarious embodiments.

The figures depict various embodiments of this disclosure for purposesof illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize fromthe following discussion that alternative embodiments of the structuresand methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing fromthe principles of embodiments described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning now to the figures, FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustration ofa mobile device 100, in accordance with various embodiments. The mobiledevice 100 includes a display 104 and a chassis shell 108. The chassisshell 108 exposes a plurality of interfacing components, such as aspeaker grill 112, a power button 116, a power port 118, volumeadjustment buttons 120 (e.g., a volume increase button 120A and a volumeincrease button 120B), a microphone hole 124, a communication port 128,a menu button 132, and an audio jack 138.

In various embodiments, an external card slot for a digital card isattached to at least one of the interfacing components exposed by thechassis shell 108. In these embodiments, the external card slot isaccessible through the at least one interfacing component. The externalcard slot can be a structural frame for holding the digital card. Forexample, the external card slot can be integrated behind or within theinterfacing component.

The external card slot can accept one or more digital cards, such as aflash memory card or a subscriber identification module (SIM) card. Thedigital cards can be read-only memory or writable digital memory. Thedigital cards can be external modules for the mobile device 100 toprovide data storage, process logic, and/or supplemental functionality.In some embodiments, the digital cards include integrated circuit (IC)chips.

In several embodiments, the external card slot can be attached to one ofthe interfacing components in a conjoint tray. In one example, theconjoint tray can be adapted to be completely pulled out and detachedfrom the mobile device 100. In another example, the conjoint tray can beadapted to be sufficiently pulled out to expose the external card slot.

In several embodiments, the external card slot can be embedded withinone of the connection ports (e.g., the power port 118, the communicationport 128, or the audio jack 138). In these embodiments, the externalcard slot for the digital card is adapted with a size smaller or equalto the size of the opening of the attached port. The attached port canbe configured such that a cable/wire connector for the port can still beinserted into the port even when the digital card is inserted into theexternal card slot.

The following figures provide examples of how the external card slot canbe integrated with and/or attached to one or more of the interfacingcomponents exposed on the exterior of the chassis shell 108.

FIG. 2A is a side view illustration of a mobile device 200 having aspeaker grill 202 on its side, in accordance with various embodiments.For example, the mobile device 200 can be the mobile device 100. Achassis shell 204 of the mobile device 200 exposes the speaker grill202. The mobile device 200 can also have a microphone hole 206 exposedon its side. The chassis shell 204 also exposes the microphone hole 206.

FIG. 2B is a perspective view illustration of the mobile device 200 ofFIG. 2A after the speaker grill 202 is pulled out, in accordance withvarious embodiments. In the illustration, the portion of the chassisshell 204 with the speaker grill 202 can be part of a conjoint tray 212.For example, the speaker grill 202 can be a front panel of the conjointtray 212. The conjoint tray 212 can slide out from the mobile device 200when it is released by a locking mechanism 214 (shown with dottedlines). For example, the locking mechanism 214 may be accessible throughthe microphone hole 206. The locking mechanism 214 can include a latchportion 216 and a trigger portion 218. In some embodiments, the latchportion 216 is the trigger portion 218. The trigger portion 218 may beat least partially exposed through the microphone hole 206. The lockingmechanism 214 can release the latch portion 216 when the trigger portionis pressed within the microphone hole 206. The latch portion 216 canfixate the conjoint tray 212 to the chassis shell 204 or a support frameof the mobile device 200.

The conjoint tray 212 includes an external card slot 220 to hold adigital card for reading by a card reader 222 (e.g., shown with dottedlines) in the mobile device 200. The card reader 222 is separate from(e.g., not attached to) the conjoint tray 212. The digital card in theexternal card slot 220 can engage with the card reader 222 when theconjoint tray 212 is slid back into the mobile device 200. The lockingmechanism 214 can re-engage the latch portion 216 to fixate the conjointtray 212 and thus prevent accidental release, after the conjoint tray212 is slid back into the mobile device 200.

In some embodiments, one or more speaker devices 226 (e.g., speakerdevice 226A and a speaker device 226B, collectively as the “speakerdevices 226”) can be attached to the conjoint tray 212 and the speakerdevices 226 can slide out along with the external card slot 220. In someembodiments, the speaker devices 226 are not attached to the conjointtray 212, and remain inside the mobile device 200 when the conjoint tray212 is slid outside (e.g., after release of the locking mechanism 214).

FIG. 3A is a side view illustration of a mobile device 300 having avolume adjustment panel 302 on its side, in accordance with variousembodiments. For example, the mobile device 300 can be the mobile device100 and/or the mobile device 200. A chassis shell 304 of the mobiledevice 300 can expose the volume adjustment panel 302. The volumeadjustment panel 302 can include volume adjustment buttons (e.g., avolume increase button 302A and a volume decrease button 302B,collectively the volume adjustment panel 302). Electronic circuitry 308(shown in dotted lines) within the mobile device 300 can detect triggerevents associated with interactions of any of the volume adjustmentbuttons. A trigger event can be a contact event or depression eventresponsive to the pressing of at least one of the volume adjustmentbuttons. For example, the electronic circuitry 308 can include aprocessor, a controller, or a transistor.

FIG. 3B is a perspective view illustration of the mobile device 300 ofFIG. 3B after the volume adjustment panel 302 is pulled out, inaccordance with various embodiments. In the illustration, the portion ofthe chassis shell 304 with the volume adjustment panel 302 can be partof a conjoint tray 312. For example, the volume adjustment panel 302 canbe a front panel of the conjoint tray 312. The conjoint tray 312 canslide out from the mobile device 300 when the electronic circuitry 308triggers the release of the conjoint tray 312. In one example, theelectronic circuitry 308 can detect a pattern of trigger events on thevolume adjustment panel 302. In response to detecting the pattern, theelectronic circuitry 308 can send a command to an electricallycontrolled latch (not shown) to release the conjoint tray 312. In otherexamples, the electronic circuitry 308 can cause the release of theelectrically controlled latch in response to a pattern of trigger eventson a touch screen of the mobile device 200, on a contact sensor of theconjoint tray 312, etc. In some embodiments, the conjoint tray 312 canbe released from a mechanically controlled latch that is mechanicallycoupled to the conjoint tray 312 and/or the volume adjustment panel 302.

The conjoint tray 312 includes an external card slot 316 to hold adigital card for reading by a card reader 320 (e.g., shown with dottedlines) in the mobile device 300. The card reader 320 is separate from(e.g., not attached to) the conjoint tray 312. The digital card in theexternal card slot 316 can engage with the card reader 320 when theconjoint tray 312 is slid back into the mobile device 300. Theelectrically controlled latch can automatically re-engage to fixate theconjoint tray 312 and thus prevent accidental release, after theconjoint tray 312 is slid back into the mobile device 300.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view illustration of a mobile device 400 havinga connection port 402 (e.g., for communication and/or for power) on itsside, in accordance with various embodiments. For example, the mobiledevice 400 can be the mobile device 100, the mobile device 200, and/orthe mobile device 300. The connection port 402 can include a cavity toreceive a connector of a cable (e.g., a power cable, a communicationcable, or a combination thereof). The connector can be a male connector,a female connector, an androgynous connector, or a combination thereof.For example, the connector can be various types of universal serial bus(USB) connectors. A chassis shell 404 of the mobile device 400 exposesthe connection port 402.

FIG. 4B is a perspective view illustration of the mobile device 400 ofFIG. 4A after the connection port 402 is pulled out, in accordance withvarious embodiments. In the illustration, the portion of the chassisshell 404 with the connection port 402 can be part of a conjoint tray412. The conjoint tray 412 can slide out from the mobile device 400 whenit is released by a locking mechanism (not shown). For example, thelocking mechanism can be the locking mechanism 214 of FIG. 2.

The conjoint tray 412 includes an external card slot 416 to hold adigital card for reading by a card reader 420 (e.g., shown with dottedlines) in the mobile device 400. The card reader 420 can be separate(e.g., not attached) from the conjoint tray 412. The digital card in theexternal card slot 416 can engage with the card reader 420 when theconjoint tray 412 is slid back into the mobile device 400. The lockingmechanism can re-engage its latch onto the conjoint tray 412 to preventaccidental release after the conjoint tray 412 is slid back into themobile device 400.

The conjoint tray 412 also includes the connection port 402. The mobiledevice 400 can include a connection adapter 422 (shown with dottedlines) for processing communication or power signal received at theconnection port 402. In some embodiments, the connection adapter 422 canprepare electrical signals or transmission out through the connectionport 402.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustration of a mobile device 500 havinga connection port 502 that exposes an external card slot 504, inaccordance with various embodiments. For example, the mobile device 500can be the mobile device 100, the mobile device 200, the mobile device300, and/or the mobile device 400. The connection port 502 can include acavity to receive a connector (e.g., a male connector, a femaleconnector, an androgynous connector, or a combination thereof) of acable (e.g., a power cable, a communication cable, or a combinationthereof).

A chassis shell 506 of the mobile device 500 exposes the connection port502. The external card slot 504 can be embedded within the cavity of theconnection port 502 without interfering with the functionality of theconnection port 502. For example, with or without an external cardinserted into the external card slot 504, the connector of a cable canstill be coupled to (e.g., inserted into) the connection port 502. Acard reader (not shown) of the mobile device 500 can read from theexternal card even if the connector of a cable is coupled to (e.g.,inserted into) the connection port 502. However, the external card slot504 is inaccessible when the connector of a cable is coupled to (e.g.,inserted into) the connection port 502, and hence an inserted externalcard cannot be removed during that time and a new external card cannotbe inserted during that time.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a mobile device 600, in accordance withvarious embodiments. For example, the mobile device 600 can be themobile device 100, the mobile device 200, the mobile device 300, themobile device 400, and/or the mobile device 500. The mobile device 600can include a display 602, a chassis shell 606, a processor 610, one ormore electronic components 614 (e.g., including a card reader 618), oneor more interfacing components 622, or any combination thereof.

The chassis shell 606 can be adapted to protect the electroniccomponents 614 and the processor 610. A support frame 626 (e.g., acircuit board) can hold and support the processor 610 and the electroniccomponents 614. In some embodiments, the support frame 626 provideselectrical interconnection for the electronic components 614. Thedisplay 602 can be attached over the support frame 626. The chassisshell 606 can be adapted to form an exterior of the mobile device 600and to protect the electronic components 614 therein. The chassis shell606 can expose at least part of the display 602. In some embodiments,the display 602 is a touchscreen. The chassis shell 606 and the exposedportion of the display 602 can form a substantially sealed exterior ofthe mobile device 600.

The chassis shell 606 at least partially exposes the interfacingcomponents 622. At least one of the interfacing components 622 can be aconjoint interfacing component 622A. The conjoint interfacing component622A is attached to an external card slot 634. The external card slot634 is accessible (e.g., such that a card can be inserted or removed)through the chassis shell 606 when the conjoint interfacing component622A is not operational. The external card slot 634 is a structureadapted to receive the external card when the conjoint tray 630. Theexternal card slot 634 can be configured to receive a subscriberidentification module (SIM) card, a secure digital (SD) card, an xDcard, other flash memory card, or any combination thereof.

The conjoint interfacing component 622A can include one or moreinteractive buttons (e.g., a power button or a volume control button).The conjoint interfacing component 622A can be or include a sensorcomponent (e.g., a microphone or a camera), a media output component(e.g., a speaker or a projector), and/or a wireless communicationcomponent (e.g., an infrared reader or emitter, a Bluetooth transmitter,other radiofrequency transmitter, or any combination thereof). In someembodiments, the conjoint interfacing component 622A is or includes acover for a sensor component, a media output component, and/or awireless communication component. In some embodiments, the conjointinterfacing component 622A is or includes a wired communicationconnection port and/or a wired power port.

In some embodiments, the conjoint interfacing component 622A includes anopening or cavity. In these embodiments, the external card slot 634 isdisposed in the opening or cavity. FIG. 5 can be an illustrative exampleof these embodiments.

In some embodiments, the mobile device 600 includes a conjoint tray 630.The conjoint tray 630 can hold the conjoint interfacing component 622A.The conjoint tray 630 can have an interfacing component portion tosupport the conjoint interfacing component 622A. The conjoint tray 630can be adapted to extend/shift outward beyond the exterior formed by thechassis shell 606 or to retract inward to be within the exterior. Whenretracted, the chassis shell 606 is adapted to expose at least partiallythe interfacing component portion of the conjoint tray 630 at theexterior of the mobile device 600.

The conjoint tray 630 can slide outward when the conjoint tray isdisengaged from the chassis and being pulled. The external card slot 634can carry the external card back when the conjoint tray 630 is retractedinward. The external card slot 634 can be positioned behind the conjointinterfacing component 622A. The external card slot 634 can be accessiblewhen the conjoint tray 630 extends/shifts beyond an outer perimeterformed by the chassis shell 606 with at least a portion of the externalcard slot 634 exposed outside of the chassis shell 606.

The conjoint tray 630 and/or the chassis shell 606 can have matchinganchor structures (e.g., an anchor structure 642 of the conjoint tray630 and an anchor structure 646 of the support frame 606). The anchorstructures 642 and 646 can be adapted to prevent the conjoint tray 630from detaching from the mobile device 600 after sliding substantiallybeyond the exterior formed by the chassis shell 606.

In some embodiments, the conjoint tray 630 includes a front paneladapted to form a continuous surface with the exterior of the mobiledevice 600. The front panel can be part of the conjoint interfacingcomponent 622A. For example, the front panel can include a speaker grillto enable sound to travel out through the chassis shell 606.

The external card slot 634 can be adapted to hold a digital memory cardor a logic component (e.g., an integrated circuit chip). For example,the external card slot 634 can be positioned next to the card reader618. In these embodiments with conjoint tray 630, the external card slot634 can be positioned next to the card reader 618 when the conjoint tray630 is fully retracted. In some embodiments, the card reader 618 isconfigured to engage with a digital card in the external card slot 634when the conjoint tray 630 is fully retracted into the mobile device600. The support frame 626 can include a space to support the cardreader 618. The space for the card reader 618 can be directly adjacentto the external card slot 634 of the conjoint tray 630. That is, theconjoint tray 630 can contact a digital card in the external card slot634 when the conjoint tray 630 is fully retracted inward. The cardreader 618 can read digital data from a digital card in the externalcard slot 634. In some embodiments, the card reader 618 can write datato the digital card or configure parameters of the digital card. In someembodiments, the card reader 618 can utilize the digital card as anapplication-specific logic processor.

In some embodiments, a locking mechanism 650 (e.g., the lockingmechanism 214) can enable movement of the conjoint tray 630. The lockingmechanism 650 can be accessible through one of the interfacingcomponents (e.g., the same interfacing component that the conjoint tray630 is attached to or another interfacing component). In one example,the locking mechanism 650 can be embedded within and/or exposed throughan opening (e.g., the microphone hole 124 of FIG. 1 or an opening for aconnection port). The locking mechanism 650 can be attached to aconnection port (e.g., the power port 118, the audio jack 138, thecommunication port 128, or any combination thereof) or another exposedinterfacing component (e.g., a microphone). The locking mechanism 650can include a mechanical trigger, an electronically-controlledmechanical trigger, a magnetic trigger, an electro-magnetic trigger, orany combination thereof. In some embodiments, the locking mechanism 650includes a mechanical latch that releases the conjoint tray 630. In oneexample, when an object is inserted into an opening of the chassis shell606 and makes contact with the locking mechanism 650, the mechanicallatch can release the conjoint tray 630.

In some embodiments, the locking mechanism 650 iselectronically-controlled by a logic unit (e.g., the processor 610 oranother logic unit among the electronic components 614) that receivesits input from the interfacing components 622. In one example, the logicunit can release the conjoint tray 630 when a set of two or moreinteractive buttons (e.g., the volume adjustment buttons 120) areclicked at the same time. In another example, the logic unit can releasethe conjoint tray 630 when one or more interactive buttons (e.g., themenu button 132, volume adjustment buttons 120, the power button 116, orany combination thereof) is held down for a preset time period orconsecutively clicked within a preset time interval (e.g., adouble-click or a triple click).

Each of the components (e.g., the mechanical and/or electroniccomponents) associated with the mobile device 600 may operateindividually and independently of other components of the mobile device600. Some or all of the components may be mechanically attached to orcoupled to one another to form a single apparatus. Electronic componentscan be coupled through one or more communication channels (e.g.,wireless or wired channel) to coordinate their operations. Some or allof the components may be combined as one component. A single componentmay be divided into sub-components, each sub-component performingseparate function or functions of the single component. The mobiledevice 600 described may include additional, fewer, or differentcomponents (e.g., mechanical, electrical, functional, logical, and/ordecorative components) for various applications.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method 700 of manufacturing amobile device (e.g., the mobile device 600), in accordance with variousembodiments. At step 702, an external card slot can be attached to aninterfacing component slot. For example, the external card slot and theinterfacing component slot can be glued, soldered, or otherwise attachedtogether from separate parts. Another example, the external card slotcan be integrally formed with the interfacing component slot. In someembodiments, the interfacing component slot and the external card slotare both part of a tray structure.

At step 704, the interfacing component can be installed and attached tothe interfacing component slot. At step 706, a chassis can be installedto protect electronic components within the mobile device, where thechassis is adapted to expose the interfacing component.

In some embodiments, the interfacing component (e.g., a communicationport or a power port) includes an opening or cavity and the externalcard slot is exposed therein. In these embodiments, the interfacingcomponent is operational when an object (e.g., a connector) is pluggedinto the opening or cavity, and thus the external card slot becomesinaccessible. However, when no object is plugged into the opening orcavity of the interfacing component, the external card slot becomesaccessible.

In other embodiments, the interfacing component slot and the externalcard slot are attached together in a tray. The external card slot can bepositioned behind the interfacing component slot and therefore theinterfacing component. At step 708, the tray can be adapted to slide inand out of the mobile device chassis.

While processes or blocks are presented in a given order in thisdisclosure, alternative embodiments may perform routines having steps,or employ systems having blocks, in a different order, and someprocesses or blocks may be deleted, moved, added, subdivided, combined,and/or modified to provide alternative or subcombinations. Each of theseprocesses or blocks may be implemented in a variety of different ways.In addition, while processes or blocks are at times shown as beingperformed in series, these processes or blocks may instead be performedin parallel, or may be performed at different times.

FIG. 8 is a top view illustration of a conjoint tray 800, in accordancewith various embodiments. Components in the conjoint tray 800 aresupported by a tray body 802, which is a rigid support structure. Theconjoint tray 800 includes the external card slot 804 and theinterfacing component 806. The external card slot 804 can be attached tothe interfacing component 806. For example, the interfacing component806 can be a connection port (e.g., a USB port), a retractable camera, auser interaction button, a cover, a sensor component, a media outputcomponent, or any combination thereof. The external card slot 804 is astructural frame for holding an external card (e.g., a SIM card or adigital memory card) adjacent to a card reader (e.g., such that the cardreader electrically and physically contacts the external card) of amobile device when the conjoint tray 800 is fully retracted into themobile device.

The conjoint tray 800 can also include a locking mechanism 810 (e.g.,the locking mechanism 214 and/or the locking mechanism 650). In someembodiments, the locking mechanism 810 can include a tray ejectionmechanism that causes the conjoint tray 800 to be ejected when thelocking mechanism 810 unlocks. For example, the locking mechanism 810can include a cam that latches onto a support frame (not shown) of amobile device. The locking mechanism 810 can include spring-loaded toanchor against the support frame. The locking mechanism 810 can alsoinclude spring-loaded cam structure, a push-push release mechanism,fingernail detent release mechanism, or any combination thereof. When anexternal object (e.g., an external pin) pushes against the lockingmechanism 810, the locking mechanism 810 can release the conjoint tray800 from the support frame, thus enabling the conjoint tray 800 to moveaway from the mobile device.

FIG. 9 is cross-sectional view illustration of a mobile device 900 witha conjoint tray 902, in accordance with various embodiments. The mobiledevice 900 can include a chassis shell 904. The chassis shell 904 caninclude an opening 906 (e.g., formed by a pipe structure 908) that leadsto a microphone 910. For example, the microphone 910 can be electricallycoupled to and attached to a circuit board 914 (e.g., a support framefor one or more electronic components) of the mobile device 900.

The conjoint tray 902 can rest over the circuit board 914. A rail 916can be attached to the circuit board 914 such that the conjoint tray 902can slide along the rail 916. The conjoint tray 902 can include alocking mechanism (not shown) that mechanically locks the conjoint tray902 within the mobile device 900. For example, the locking mechanism canbe the locking mechanism 214, the locking mechanism 650, and/or thelocking mechanism 810.

In some embodiments, the opening 906 includes at least two straightportions. A first straight portion of the opening 906 extends fromoutside the exterior of the mobile device 900 toward the rail 916. Asecond straight portion of the opening 906 extends from a point alongthe first straight portion toward the microphone 910. The first straightportion exposes the locking mechanism of the conjoint tray 902 such thatan external object (shown in dashed lines) can press against the lockingmechanism to release the conjoint tray 902. The external object can be apin. The second straight portion enables sound to travel through theopening 906 to the microphone 910. In some embodiments, the microphone910 is replaced by a speaker, another sensor component, amechanical/electrical input component (e.g., button or a switch), and/oranother media output component (e.g., light source or sound source).

FIG. 10 is a top plan view illustration of a mobile device 1000 thataccepts a conjoint tray 1002, in accordance with various embodiments.The conjoint tray 1002 includes one or more external card slots (e.g.,an external card slot 1006A and an external card slot 1006B,collectively as the “external card slots 1006”), an interfacingcomponent 1010, a tray connection interface 1014, and a lockingmechanism 1018 (e.g., the locking mechanism 810). The tray connectioninterface 1014, the external card slots 1006 and the interfacingcomponent 1010 can be positioned in series on the conjoint tray 1002. Insome embodiments, the interfacing component 1010 is detachably attachedto the conjoint tray 1002. For example, a different interfacingcomponent can be switched into the conjoint tray 1002 by removing theinterfacing component 1010 currently attached to the conjoint tray 1002and inserting another interfacing component in its place.

The mobile device 1000 includes a tray receptacle 1020. The trayreceptacle 1020 can be embedded on an outer perimeter of the mobiledevice 1000. In some embodiments, the tray connection interface 1014includes one or more contact fingers 1024. When the conjoint tray 1002is inserted into the tray receptacle 1020, the contact fingers 1024makes electrical contact with one or more contact pads 1028 within thetray receptacle 1020. In some embodiments, the contact pads 1028 can beembedded on a circuit board (e.g., the circuit board 914). In theillustrated embodiments, the tray connection interface 1014 includes thecontact fingers 1024 and the tray receptacle 1020 includes the contactpads 1028; however, in other embodiments, the tray connection interface1014 includes contact pads and the tray receptacle 1020 includes contactfingers.

In the illustrated embodiments, the interfacing component 1010, theexternal card slots 1006, and the tray connection interface 1014 arepositioned linearly from one another. For example, at least one of theexternal card slot 1006 can be positioned sequentially behind theinterfacing component 1010 and the tray connection interface 1014 can bepositioned sequentially behind the at least one of the external cardslots 1006. However, in other embodiments, the interfacing component1010, the external card slots 1006, and the tray connection interface1014 can be positioned nonlinearly on the conjoint tray 1002. In oneexample, the interfacing component 1010 (e.g., a wired connection port)and the tray connection interface 1014 can be positioned on paralleledges of the conjoint tray 1002 (as shown). In another example, theinterfacing component 1010 and the tray connection interface 1014 can bepositioned on perpendicular edges of the external tray (not shown).

FIG. 11 is a top plan view illustration of a mobile device 1100 that isattached to a conjoint tray 1102 via a flexible cable 1130, inaccordance with various embodiments. The mobile device 1100 can besimilar to the mobile device 1000 and the conjoint tray 1102 similar tothe conjoint tray 1002 except in how a tray connection interface 1114couples to a tray receptacle 1120. For example, the tray connectioninterface 1114 is coupled to the tray receptacle 1120 via a flexiblecable 1130 (e.g., a ribbon cable) such that movement of the conjointtray 1102 does not decouple the tray connection interface 1114 from thetray receptacle 1120.

Some embodiments of the disclosure have other aspects, elements,features, and steps in addition to or in place of what is describedabove. These potential additions and replacements are describedthroughout the rest of the specification. Reference in thisspecification to “various embodiments,” “several embodiments,” “someembodiments” means that a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic described in connection with the embodiment is includedin at least one embodiment of the disclosure. Alternative embodiments(e.g., referenced as “other embodiments”) are not mutually exclusive ofother embodiments. Moreover, various features are described which may beexhibited by some embodiments and not by others. Similarly, variousrequirements are described which may be requirements for someembodiments but not other embodiments.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mobile device comprising: one or moreelectronic components including a card reader; a support frame adaptedto support and facilitate electrical interconnection for the electroniccomponents within a mobile device; a chassis shell adapted to form anexterior of the mobile device and to enclose the support frame; and atray formed by at least an external card slot attached to a connectionport, wherein the chassis shell includes an opening that at leastpartially exposes the connection port at the exterior of the mobiledevice; wherein the tray is adapted to shift outward beyond the exteriorformed by the chassis shell or retract inward within the exterior, andwherein external card slot is a structure adapted to receive an externalcard when the tray is shifted outward and to hold the external card tomake electrical contact with the card reader when the tray is retractedinward; and wherein the tray includes a detachable tray connectioninterface for electrically coupling the connection port to at least oneof the electronic components of the mobile device when the tray isplaced inward within the exterior.
 2. The mobile device of claim 1,wherein the support frame includes a circuit board; and wherein thedetachable tray connection interface is coupled to the circuit board viaa flexible cable such that movement of the tray does not decouple thedetachable tray connection interface from the circuit board.
 3. Themobile device of claim 1, wherein the tray is adapted to be removablefrom the mobile device.
 4. The mobile device of claim 1, furthercomprising a tray receptacle structure attached to the support frame;and wherein the detachable tray connection interface comprises one ormore contact fingers adapted to make electrical contact with the trayreceptacle structure when the tray is fully retracted into the mobiledevice.
 5. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the tray comprises alocking mechanism adapted to latch the tray onto the support frame orthe chassis shell.
 6. The mobile device of claim 5, wherein the lockingmechanism includes a spring-loaded cam structure, a push-push releasemechanism, fingernail detent release mechanism, or any combinationthereof.
 7. The mobile device of claim 5, wherein the chassis shellincludes a hole to expose the locking mechanism such that an externalobject is able to mechanically move the locking mechanism to release thetray.
 8. The mobile device of claim 7, further comprising a microphonesensor with at least a voice sensing surface exposed within the hole. 9.The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the support frame includes acircuit board coupled to the card reader; and wherein the card reader isdisposed at a fixed position on the circuit board to make contact withan external card placed in the external card slot when the tray is fullyretracted into the mobile device.
 10. An external tray for insertioninto a mobile device, comprising: an external card slot adapted toreceive an external card; a connection port adapted to accept a wiredcable connector; a tray support structure that holds the external cardslot and the connection port, wherein the tray support structure isadapted to shift in and out of an exterior of the mobile device; adetachable tray connection interface comprised of one or moreelectrically conductive elements to electrically couple the connectionport to the mobile device after the external tray is inserted into themobile device; and a latch mechanism attached to the tray supportstructure to lock the external tray to the mobile device once theexternal tray is inserted into the mobile device.
 11. The external trayof claim 10, wherein the external card slot, the connection port, andthe tray connection interface are positioned sequentially behind oneanother.
 12. The external tray of claim 10, wherein the connection portand the tray connection interface are positioned on parallel edges ofthe external tray.
 13. The external tray of claim 10, wherein theconnection port and the tray connection interface are positioned onperpendicular edges of the external tray.
 14. The external tray of claim10, wherein the latch mechanism includes a spring-loaded cam, apush-push release mechanism, fingernail detent release mechanism, or anycombination thereof.
 15. The external tray of claim 10, wherein theexternal card slot is a first external card slot, and the external trayfurther comprises a second external card slot positioned between thefirst external card slot and the connection port.
 16. The external trayof claim 10, wherein the connection port is modularly removable.
 17. Amobile device comprising: a support frame adapted to support one or moreelectronic components; a chassis shell adapted to form an exterior ofthe mobile device to protect the electronic components therein; and atray exposed on the exterior and having at least two functionalcomponents of the mobile device attached thereon serving at least twodifferent functions; wherein the chassis shell is adapted to expose oneof the functional components on the exterior and wherein the tray iscapable of sliding outward to further expose the other one of thefunctional components.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the atleast two functional components includes a card slot to carry anintegrated circuit (IC) card.
 19. The apparatus of claim 18, furthercomprising a card reader; wherein the support frame forms a space forthe card reader; and wherein the space for the card reader is directlyadjacent to the card slot when the tray is fully placed inward.
 20. Theapparatus of claim 17, wherein the at least two functional componentsincludes a wired or wireless connection port for communication or forpower supply.
 21. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising ananchor adapted to prevent the tray from detaching from the apparatusafter sliding substantially beyond the exterior formed by the chassisshell.
 22. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the tray is fullyremovable from the apparatus.
 23. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein thesupport frame forms one or more rails for the tray to slide in and outof a cavity in the support frame.